Published 4/22/2025 16:51 | Edited 04/22/2025 19:23
Pope Francis’ death last Monday (21) reverberates around the world and in Cuba is no different. Raúl Castro Ruz General Ruz published a message in which he calls the friend’s Pontiff and highlights his “tireless defense of peace.”
Rest in peace, dear friend. I am deeply moved by your death.
You were a righteous and coherent man who has rendered with affection and goodwill the human relationship we established. I have good memories of the meetings we had and appreciate their affection for the Cuban people and their personal contribution to promote fraternal dialogue and understanding in the relations between Cuba and the Holy See, which were strengthened during their pontificate.
His life and papacy were an example of tireless defense of peace and fraternity among peoples. His constant concern for the urgent challenges faced by humanity and his dedication and commitment to finding a viable and sustainable solution to these problems will be an example for all of us.
As he told me once, I will also take him forever in my heart.
Raúl Castro Ruz
Francisco in Cuba
Always attentive to humanitarian issues, Francisco has not stolen to ask for the end of the economic blockade perpetrated by the United States that hits the island.
In September 2015 he was in Cuba, where he celebrated Mass at the Revolution Square in Havana and also passed Holguín and Santiago de Cuba. He was with Raul, then president of Cuba, and Fidel Castro, in a private meeting registered in photo. Then he went to the United States as part of the same trip.
Francisco was responsible at the time for the country’s approach with the US. The Pope’s leadership in this process was fundamental to what was called “Cuban Degelo”, when there was the beginning of normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Read more: Vatican prepares for goodbye to Francis with leaders from around the world
In this process, embassies were reopened by Castro and Barack Obama, as well as prisoners’ exchange, including part of national heroes known as “five Cubans,” arrested in the US accused of spying. With Donald Trump’s first election, the approach of the countries had already been interrupted.
In 2016, Francisco was in Cuba again, on a scale on his way to Mexico. In Havana, he met the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Cyril I. The meeting is considered historical, since it did not occur since 1054, when there was the great schism of the East (the separation of the Orthodox Apostolic Apostolic and Catholic Catholic Catholic churches).
Official mourning
Like Brazil, Cuba President Miguel Díaz-Canel decreed official mourning that extends to midnight next Thursday (24).
As portrayed by the official Cuban press agency, Granma, Pope Francis “made important contributions to the strengthening of relations between Cuba and the Holy See.”
In the text it is highlighted that Francisco “was a Progressive Pontiff”, always looking for solutions to global problems, environment and peace, as well as remembering his friendly relationship with Raúl Castro and receiving Canel at the Vatican in 2023.
Source: vermelho.org.br
